The Christian Church Blog...

Love and Spring

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:54:00 +0000

It was a long winter, but its over now. And just like the promise of renewal the spring brings with it new life in the guise of flowers and people too. We all come out looking for love. Love is the pivot point with God but not the kind of love we as humans concede to...

Human love is impatient
God's love is patient
Human love is sometimes unkind
God's love is always kind
Human love is envious
God's love is comforting
Human love boasts
God's love is humble
Human love is proud
God's love is appreciative
Human love can dishonour
God's love Honours
Human love is selfish
God's love is selfless
Human love can be angered
God's love is contented
Human love keeps score
God's love is full of joy
Human love can delight in evil
God's love rejoices in the truth

Gods love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, and it never fails...
Based on 1Corinthians 13:4-8

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Showing You're True Colours...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:11:00 +0000

Well, its fall and like the church sign I saw today, that read; "You can see God in the changing season". It made me reflect on whether others could see God through me?

What's more important to me, Church or God?
Is keeping up an appearance of godliness, more important than the actual growth?
How many times have I shared my faith with others so far this year?
Have I ignored the need to share my faith with others out of fear?
Does change truly begin with the one?

Reflecting on oneself can truly be a blessing...

May...

Ratiocination... (rash-ee-os-uh-NEY-shuhn)

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:17:00 +0000

Ratiocination is the process of logical reasoning. Logical reasoning is part of our ability to use self-control and self-control is our ability to control ourselves thereby expressing our true inner selves rather than our reactive selves to those that see and hear us. Ever had trouble expressing how you truly feel? Why do we have trouble expressing our true feelings? One word that comes to mind is fear. Fear of what? Being vulnerable perhaps...

They say the bible has "fear not" 365 times, one "fear not" for everyday. The truth of the matter is that its closer to 100 then 365 depending on the version you are reading. However that's still a lot of "fear not's", don't you think? Fear has a way of stopping things from happening. Its probably all part of the flight, fight, or freeze response that we share with the animal kingdom. But God set us apart from that kingdom whether we accept His gift of faith that He gives to all of mankind as outlined in Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. So does that mean animals don't use ratiocination? I think they do but they do it out of instinct whereas we use our free will. Everything about us is the exercise of our free will. If we choose to use self-control or not it is born of our free will.

But as for me and my household we will serve the lord...

Bob Dylan said it best in his song 'Gotta Serve Somebody" It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody.

May...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:04:00 +0000

Agenda's...

I've been accused of having an agenda when speaking about church. But then doesn't everyone have an agenda of some sort? My belief wasn't instant nor was it developed lightly. From the day I accepted Christ as my Saviour until this day I have been developing what some might call my world view about Christianity. My faith includes an undeniable thirst for the truth that expounds the views of the outwardly religious person that insists he is saved no matter what. If we all meditated on scripture I'm sure we would all understand that many of the stories that Jesus told were aimed directly at believers that insist they are saved for uttering a few syllables. After all words are powerful, God spoke the world into existence, didn't he? But then we are not God are we. Can we measure our words at the same level as the Almighty? I don't think so!

One thing I know for sure is that God has an agenda; that Christ gave Himself a ransom for all - showing that God desired their salvation. For all, for everyone, everywhere it also proves that our salvation is our responsibility as well. God gives us the path through Jesus Christ, and that we must walk that path willingly, and with much desire to learn the ways of the Most High. If God desired everyone to agree don't you think He could do it in a nano-sec? Free will is so important to God and valuable to us as humans that we forget that without it we could have all have been programmed like mechanical robots just moving along doing as our programs decree, without the ability to be make our own decisions. Think about it, you want to have chicken, but all thats on the menu is hamburger, no matter how hard you try you just can't have chicken. You want to be inventive, creative, spontaneous, gracious, forgiving but you can't it wasn't in your data base. You weren't programmed to have those abilities nor can you become more than your initial programming. So you forget because you were never programmed to remember, so you can't.

Thank God that thats not true. Yet we allow ourselves to be lead by societal dictates about the sexes such as boys can't cry because big boys don't cry. My boys I encourage to cry if they need too, but more than that, I also encourage them to try to understand what they are feeling and why. In my youth I had two emotions happy and angry! I never understood the other emotions my upbringing and the societal norms soon taught me that this is the way boys are. What a lie, men are sometimes just as emotional as women and in many respects we are driven by the love of our families. The reason we are here is to learn how to LOVE for that is the binding catalyst that brings us in-line with God. For God is LOVE and we are made in his image so we are the LOVE of God yet we allow so much that is antithetical to that LOVE to happen. Perhaps we can blame it on the world or others but the bottom line is that;

"We must fear evil men and deal with them accordingly, but what we must truly guard against, what we must fear most. Is, the indifference of good men."

-The Boondoock Saints


There is a path that we as Christians would do well to learn. You can find it in the Holy Bible at 2 Peter 1:3-11 


"Add To Your Faith - Virtue


To Virtue - Knowledge,


To Knowledge - Self-control,


To Self-control - Perseverance,


To Perseverance - Godliness,


To Godliness - Brotherly Kindness,


And To Brotherly Kindness - Love."






May...




The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ







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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Pride and Prejudice...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:29:00 +0000

When I think about pride and prejudice within the Christian community I think of people arguing over who's church is better, etc... I think this is one of the arguments that Timothy is talking about at 2 TIMOTHY 2:23-24. Perhaps its best to focus on the common denominator "JESUS" and repentance before forgiveness!

Lets us not forget that at EPHESIANS 2:8-10 it says we are saved by grace and that our faith is a gift from God so that none can boast they are better than another, church organizations included. I am/have been looking for a new church in my neighbourhood. And after almost a full year of searching I cannot find a church that fully understands the simple fact found at MATTHEW 28: 19-23.

So maybe all things are not equal and that equal for some is unequal to others. One man looks in the mirror and walks away and knows exactly who he is. Whereas another man looks and immediately forgets who he is. Some have problems with their moral compass due to external factors such as; alcohol, drugs, religiosity, etc And still more are spiritually thirsty but do not realize the way to quench their thirst. Perhaps most churches breed thirstiness through external religiosity. They say the right things but upon closer examination they are not following through.

Personally I prefer flawed company to the self-righteous kind there seems to be more honesty in the admitted sinner than to the self-righteous adherent. I believe that Jesus was of a similar mindset and that the religious leaders of his time used it against him. When we think we are done growing and learning we become unteachable and therefore unable to teach others about the simplicity of the gospel. Believing is one thing, repenting and being renewed in Christ another. I mean even demons believe in Jesus.

So what more must we do other than to simply believe?

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:51:00 +0000

PERFECTION...

What do you see when you hear this word "perfect" or what do imagine when you see this word "perfection"?

We as Christians believers in Jesus Christ the Son of God who with; finality, did give His life for us. So that we may have life and have it more abundantly. As believers our core understanding is that Christ became the propitiation of all mens sins. Which is; He took our place upon the cross He died so we might live, and live more abundantly than before.

Before what?

Before, when we did not know Christ or know his voice. Before we understood that through the act of repentance and the gift of FAITH from God so that none could boast that they are better than any other believer anywhere. We may also understand that we are truly being perfected in Love so that we may shed the world and its ways of judgement and competition. That we may stand up and say with conviction, "Today is a good day to die". Because we live without regret.

I imagine that love is the key ingredient in the getting to go to heaven that when upon that final day we stand before Christ to be judged. And he finds us not wanting because we are full of the Love that he has for us and every person you can see. We are perfected in His Love we took the time to work everyday towards that perfection by not concentrating on others shortcomings. No not others, but our own-selves did we work on. We corrected our own behaviours and lead NOT by word, but by deed, by example.

We learned that loving our immediate family was important and we practiced making every single one of them more important than our own selves. For how could we love others if we did not love our own families? We encouraged each other with love as the motivating factor and gave until it hurt. But give we did each and everyday. And we saw some of our own brethren join us in our journey of being perfected in Love through Jesus Christ the Son of God. And God was pleased and the heavens rejoiced at our effort and perhaps one day we may stand before Christ perfected in the Love He has for all mankind and He will say enter into my rest you faithful servant.

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here

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Loyalty and Conviction...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Loyalty is the act of trusting beyond a doubt, a faithfulness, and devotion that goes beyond any ability to corrupt it's underlying intrinsic values. While conviction is the prodding that happens when we are tempted to cross the line and go against our loyalties to those we love or our devotion to God through His Son Jesus Christ.

This world is antithetical to the Christian walk and experience while it has served to introduce you to the value of God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ it will do everything it possibly can to sever the bond you are establishing in Christ Jesus.

Who can you trust absolutely when people even family fail us daily?

You can trust in your walk toward receiving the ultimate gift that God offers those of us who persevere in our Christian walks. We are all at different stages in our walks as established in 2 Peter 1:3-11 that outlines the Christian walk with absolute clarity. It says;

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence...

Add To Your Faith - Virtue

To Virtue - Knowledge,

To Knowledge - Self-control,

To Self-control - Perseverance,

To Perseverance - Godliness,

To Godliness - Brotherly Kindness,

And To Brotherly Kindness - Love.

Where are you in your personal walk to becoming perfected by Love?

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Proselytizing...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:08:00 +0000

With the holidays in full gear and the advertising blasting your senses everywhere you go and the meaning of Christmas which to me was never really a fully understood nor supported biblical concept although many Christians think it is. Makes me wonder about our ability to put the blinders on and just continue to trudge forward with no regard to the truth whatsoever.

So I'm outside shovelling the first real snow fall and in weather that is absolutely fabulous for this time of the year. When along comes a fellow that wants to share his faith with me. My first question is what denomination or religion do you represent, his answer "Jehovah Witness" I say well we don't really have much to discuss then do we. Why is that he says?

So I say rather than answer your question how about if I ask you another question? He says go ahead. So I ask "Do you think that God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to the earth to start a new religion called Christianity? He says "Yes I guess in part he did" And I say well then we don't have much to talk about then do we? He continues to press in and asks "why would you say that?" I say well I've asked at least 7,000 people this question in the last three years and I have found out that those that are believers always say "NO" and those that are non-believers always say "YES" its almost like a measurement of a believer.

He then asks if I'm Jewish and I say jokingly only the good part touching my heart, I'm only kidding I'm not jewish. But let me ask you another question? Again he replies go ahead. So I ask "Did Jesus Christ come for the propitiation of mans sins or to start a new religion? Now visualize this; I have my arms up at my sides with the palms facing upwards to represent a scale like the scales of justice. And I say again moving my arms up and down right first "Propitiation" then my left, or "New Religion" he responds and says propitiation. I say thank you for coming out what is your name he says Dave I say Dave nice to meet you my name is Bruce Moar but most people call me BeMore because I can help you be more than you can without me!

He decides that he cant win an argument when dealing with those kinds of truths, so he decides to agree with me and amazingly leaves instead of trying to argue with me. Now I've had many of these types of folks try to convert me before but never has the discussion been so one sided. When you seek the truth it helps you every day...

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

They say...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Seeing is believing...

But the bible says no one has seen God John 1:18, but if we love one another then God abides in us and His love is perfected in us 1 John 4:12. Love the main theme of much literature in the world and the main theme in the bible as well as the reason we live, laugh, cry, and feel joy. For what is joy without love? If it wasn't for love none of us would be.

God is love but not human love, but the type of love that goes beyond the human bonds of this world past anything you could ever imagine. The reason is; God is higher then our highest thought, He is unseeable and untouchable. However that does not mean He is unlovable. Which brings me to my point. If we say we love God but not each other God calls us liars straight up for how can we love that which we cannot see but not that which we can?

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
Subscribe in a reader
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Doing is believing...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:05:00 +0000

Once upon a time there was a man that heard God calling and decided that he would answer and he answered saying, "Here I am". God planted in his heart a desire from childhood to own a leather bound bible which he went out and purchased. Now he didn't choose the first bible he came across he took several hours in picking the one that was just right for him and that he would read everyday. Happy with his purchase he began to read in earnest and meditate on the word within. As his understanding grew so did his heart, it was becoming bigger it seemed. Almost as if it was being whitewashed. Imagine if you will a heart that is pitch black with a wee tiny little speck that is white within it. The white speck is the love of God growing inside us perfecting us to be more than we could ever imagine.

One day the man is reading his bible at the passage of 2 PETER 1:3-11 and he realized that this was the walk of a believer with all the trimmings. He felt like God was calling him to do more with this, so he prayed saying, "Lord I know you are real but I hardly know anything about you, however if you want me to do this than provide everything I need and I will, Amen." No sooner did he say amen that his wife came in from outside calling his name and saying there was a huge box that was left by the garbage bins with all kinds of bibles, concordances, and books about God. There were books about Greek, Hebrew, dictionaries, concordances, everything that a godly man would need to walk the walk, talk the talk and become that which he thought was impossible. However with god nothing is impossible all we need do is follow through.

Are you following through on you're belief?

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Forever...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:55:00 +0000

They say that forever is a mighty long time. Imagine as we look for the new life in eternity what are you expecting to find? If your negative here will you suddenly be positive there? If your internal speech is not nice, will it suddenly become better? In eternity will you not be you anymore? If your prone to anger and bitterness, will you be sweet and forgiving in the afterlife? Again I ask will you not be you anymore?

They also say we learn by repetition the more we practice the better we get at that which we are practicing. If you learn a new word everyday will it make you a most effective communicator? People like to listen to people they think are smarter than they are. Also if you have all the human credentials it gives you creditability that you know what you're talking about. Right?

Was Gideon a great man of valour before the angel came along and called him that? How about Moses was he good with a crowd? Or Joseph did he understand his own dreams that made his brothers jealous thereby effecting his being sold into slavery? Did Jacob really wrestle with God all that time? Are you wrestling with God? Can you really find God in a book or does he live in the least of us? Should we CAPITALIZE the "G" when we spell god? Is God higher than your highest thought?

Asking questions is natural and everyone does it and I believe that is why we have so much denominational divergence. Because we question what others are trying to establish as tradition. Would you follow someone just because rote tradition says you must? What is rote tradition anyway? Does god or God support rampant denominational divergence among believers?

Are you practicing love everyday? Will you be perfected in love by the final day or will you attempt to make an excuse? Do you love that which you cant see more than that which you can see? People for example you can see, God you cannot...

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Helping Those in Need...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Helping those in need is a fundamental part of being a believer. A believer that believes that Jesus is the Son of the one true God. Jesus didn't come to start a religion called Christianity he came to help us have compassion for each other. But money gets in the way and succeeds in separating us from each other. I know we are here for only one reason and the reason is to learn how to love each other the way God intended. For if a man says, I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
If you see or are asked to help someone in need do what you can and if you cannot do it yourself recruit others to help you accomplish the task and get it done for even demons do this. Consider Matthew 12:43-45

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
Subscribe in a reader
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Thinking Like Jesus...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:04:00 +0000

I think therefore I am a thinker...

I believe in Jesus Christ therefore I am... A Christian?

Have you ever really asked yourself what it means to believe in Jesus Christ?

Do we know why we are truly here, what is the purpose, are we responsible for others or just ourselves?

How do we think like Jesus?

In order to think like Jesus Christ we need to move past our humanism and trust in the one feeling we all need to survive. The one feeling we are here to master. The one feeling that should be paramount in our minds at all times. The one feeling that will help us understand our questions. The one feeling that allows us to put worth on every person we see. We are all connected by this feeling and without it everything is useless. It is the reason we exist. The reason why we are here. The one feeling we need to practice without words. The feeling that should spur us to action.

Its never to late to learn how to love... Practice Every, Every, Day!

Being a Bad Christian is not BAD at all...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Thu, 05 May 2011 21:24:00 +0000

Bad can be good especially for those that learn to recognize the bad in their lives. We live in a world where around every corner there is someone telling you, they have the goods on living right and living well and for $39.99 they'll let you in on the secret!

The whole getting to know Jesus thing is like that. There is another new improved bible study around every corner, another book with all the secret Christian ways, etc. Meanwhile Jesus continues to say; "I am the way, the truth, the life" and "Whoever believes in me will have eternal life" Jesus also said; "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."

What is the key to learning?

If you answered listening you are 100% right!

Lets listen to Jesus for once and forget about all the people in the temple trying to sell you something. Look past them right at the saviour and start your personal relationship today. Don't delay start TODAY! He's waiting patiently, He holds no grudges, He is real, and He loves you more than you can ever know.

Change...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:06:00 +0000

Change the world wants you to think it is hard. But is it?

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Or can you?

Change is constant through our whole living lives from birth right to the doorstep of death. So why does the world want us to be so resistant to change? Are you resistant to change? Lets examine the scripture for examples of change...

EXAMPLE #1

The first example that jumps into my head is the story of Jonah the Prophet. The book is only 4 chapters long, but a lot happens in those four chapters. A brief summary; Chapter 1 - Jonah is sent to Nineveh; he rebels and is punished. Chapter 2 - He repents and is saved from certain death. Chapter 3 - Preaches God's word in Nineveh. Chapter 4 - Becomes angry at God's mercy towards the people of Nineveh. The story ends with a lesson in compassion.

"Justice without Compassion is no justice at all!"

Quote/Bruce W. Moar about mans justice system.

EXAMPLE #2

The second example that jumps to mind is the story of Gideon. An unassuming man that God transforms from a meek coward hiding his threshing efforts to a valiant man of war. A brief summary; Judges chapter 6:11-24, Gideon is called by an angel. Judges chapter 6:25-32 Gideon destroys Baal's altar. Judges chapter 6:36-40, Gideon's call from the Lord is confirmed with a fleece. Judges chapter 7, Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites. Judges chapter 8:4-21 Gideon takes revenge on Succoth and Penuel. Judges chapter 8:22-28 Gideon refuses kingship. Judges chapter 8:29-35 Gideon fathers seventy-one sons and dies. The story ends with a fact of how quickly we forget the lessons of the past.

"I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you."

Quote/Gideon Judges 8:23

So the question is have we forgotten the lessons of the past and now do what displeases God?

I say yes, what with so many Christian denominations and hostility and judgement of believers towards each other I think we need to change and change quickly.

Renewal...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Whew!

Is the holidays over now?

Time to get busy and write some words that have been jumping around inside me and wanting to come out. The Bad Christian is injured and has been suffering the last two years with some nerve type issues that are tricky to diagnose. But I have faith it will be over soon and life can return to some kind of normal.

Next; Being a Bad Christian is not all Bad...

New Logo...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 22:27:00 +0000

Lets put our hands together for Laura Milton who designed the new logo for "The Christian Church Blog...". If you have any logo or artwork you need done Laura is an amazing and gifted artist. She does the work to your specifications and if you allow her to exercise her creative ability, as I did, she will create you an amazing logo or artwork that you will be happy with.

You can reach Laura at; lauramilton@gmail.com with your requests.

Perseverance...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:42:00 +0000

Perseverance...

The art of staying the course. It embodies loyalty, faith, determination, purpose, and consistency. Remeber the verses that compares our faith to running a race you can find them at;

PSALM 19
ECCLESIASTES 9
1 CORINTHIANS 9
2 TIMOTHY 4
HEBREWS 12

As we run, we must always remember why we run and keep in mind that if we want to see change we must first become the change we want to see. Just like an athlete trains his body and mind so must we, train our bodies and minds in the faith of Jesus Christ. As knowledge set you up for that training, perseverance sets the bar for your success. Knowing why you run is very important to your success of adding perseverance to your faith.

Ask yourself why you believe and internalize it. Then verbalize it and tell others why you believe what you believe and allow them and God to work out the details. Do not conform to the world, rather believe that God can work in anyone just as He has worked in you. Tell your story of why you believe not just for others but for yourself as well. Use it as reminder to add perseverance to your faith.

Next post; Godliness...

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
Subscribe in a reader
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Self-Control...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:43:00 +0000

What is the one and only thing we truly have control over?

When we control ourselves we are exercising our God given right to freedom of choice. Instead of giving in to what we want, we are happy instead with just what we need. But what does the bible teach about self-control?

Consider; Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

Trusting in God through Jesus Christ is the beginning of self-control. Self-control demonstrated through our efforts to run to the love of God is by far the best testimony one could have for others. Rather than try to change others we are to conform ourselves to what God intended us to be. And through that transformation become living examples of Self-Control. Not by words but by action. For we are judged at every turn and rather than insisting others conform we must be their example by our own transformation. Well if Uncle Joe can do it, so can I.

Consider reading Romans 6-7

When we recognize that the only thing we can change is ourselves then we can begin to heal and work our way through the rest of The Walk of a Christian with full and awesome knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

We can change no other but ourselves...

Next post; Perseverance...
May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
Subscribe in a reader
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Knowledge...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:16:00 +0000

We live in an age where knowledge is just a a Google away. Last night I was at Starbuck's and ordered a Caramel Machiato. I like to mis-pronounce the fancy smansy beverages on purpose and when the fella making it asked me to clarify I said "the actual proper way to say it is Muchalato and that Starbucks had it all wrong". He say's "what's in a name" I say "interesting where did, what's in a name saying come from?" Not knowing he asks his colleague and she say's I think it was Shakespeare I asked her why she thought that and she say's "I don't know first thing that popped into my mind". So, while buddy is preparing my hot delicious beverage she comes back and say's "I Googled it, it was the Shake from Romeo and Juliet where Juliet says ""What's in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet."

Knowledge is available to anyone that will take the liberty and freedom they possess to search for it. However with great knowledge comes great responsibility. Consider that if you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was going to hit the blind man whistling and cane waving across the road right in front of you, at what point would you after yelling to him to be aware, and still he continues on his merry way whistling and waving, unaware of his ultimate demise, at what point do you get physical and move him from harms way?

Consider this verse JOHN 6:44

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Interesting verse isn't it? Now lets look at the verses to either side of that one.

43. "Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered.

44. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

45. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

What were they grumbling about and why did Jesus say what he did and who were they? In order to find out you must read the whole chapter. Please get your bible or go here and read the whole chapter JOHN CHAPTER 6

Alrighty then, all done, lots of information there huh? Now in order to grab an even better understanding one must read the whole book of John. The theme of the book of John is; Knowing God by believing in Jesus Christ. So go ahead open up and begin reading before you continue reading here. If you don't have a bible, then here are several ways to get one into your computer for free.

E-SWORD - The sword of the Lord with an electronic edge

BiblePro for Windows - Free download

Theophilos Bible Software - Multilingual application for bible and Christian study

MacSword - Bible study software for Mac OS X

Now lets go back to the original verse JOHN 6:44 and consider what exactly Jesus is saying there. Is he saying that only those the Father selects and draws may be converted? I think that, that is exactly what he is saying, so none can boast.

There are other passage that can help us to understand such as;

EPHESIANS 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

ROMANS 3:11-12 - there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.

JOHN 5:39-40 - You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

JOHN 15:18 - If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

Next Post; Self-Control...
May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Virtue...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:31:00 +0000

There are basically two ways to look at and approach the noun virtue. One is that it is a set of rules and regulations that must be followed in order to attain it. Two virtue is exercised by action and the attaining of it through practice makes perfect. This second way is what the verse at 2nd Peter verse 5 is relating to. For by example is it both taught and attained. One clear and concise observance of virtue in action is worth a thousand thousand lectures or sermons on the topic.

Imagine for a moment if you will that your mind is a steel trap that it is such a good steel trap that it locks up with such ferociousness that anything in it's grasp cannot escape. I have a friend well maybe he is not truly a friend but more like an friendly associate/adherent. He always say's this about the mind "garbage in, garbage out". Now lets try together to apply this concept to our lives.

Lets say someone decides to take out there frustration on us and if we decide to bite back even though we previously were in a good mood. Were we truly in a good mood to begin with? The practice of a virtuous response would be like the commercial of the guy that chews Juicy Fruit bubble gum you know the commercial he gets home and his clothing is ripped his hair is all mussed and he's simply a mess. His sister yells out and says "Mom Billy was chewing Juicy Fruit again". With single minded purpose we must train ourselves to enjoy the fruit of the spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, that which is;

love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When we add virtue to our gift of faith we are moving from the unconscious into the conscious realm and making a decision that is both deliberate and purposeful.

Next Post Knowledge...

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
Subscribe in a reader
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

Faith...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:41:00 +0000

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

⁹. not of works, lest anyone should boast.

FAITH is a gift from God so none can boast. Such as; my church is better than your church, my denomination is godlier then yours, or my church is the the only true church, I am a better Christian because of what I do, etc. Faith comes from God and allows us the privilege of believing in Jesus Christ the Son of God Almighty. FAITH is NOT denominational nor does it come through good works of any kind.

Everyone that has lived or is living today has thought about God at some point. This is the seed of FAITH that God has giving to all mankind. When we consciously choose to explore this gift we enter a different realm from the one we have known. It is the realm of God, were we as sinners are loved so much that God sacrificed a part of himself so that we lowly human sinners might have life through Jesus Christ. It is also a realm where a healthy fear of God is born in the repentant sinner so that he/she might finish the good works started in them.

When we first get the revelation of faith or become Christians were we repent of our sin and believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God we are intoxicated with the revelation that faith brings with it to our poor souls. That is the reason why most folks who become Christians are on fire telling everyone the good news, until they begin to loose steam. Here we come to a crossroad the place were the fear of man or fear of God has a battle inside us. If we choose the fear of man we lose because fearing man makes the gift of FAITH neutral or makes us luke-warm believers and unworthy to be called sons of God.

Whereas the fear of God allows us to complete the good work that was started in us through the gift of FAITH. If you have faith and you know it is a gift from God and have thankfully accepted it the I encourage you to add to your FAITH... VIRTUE

Next post Virtue...

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
Subscribe in a reader
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

The Walk of a Christian...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:19:00 +0000

Ever had one of those days were you are constantly getting bombarded and your temper is being tested to the verge of EXPLODE? Most of the things that can make us loose it, are things that are simply beyond our control. This is were we get the opportunity to exercise the really only God giving inherent right that exists to all peoples of the world, our SELF-CONTROL.

If you ask anybody this question the answer should more than likely be the same for everyone;

Q. What is the only one thing that you truly have control over?

A. Yourself

In second Peter chapter 1 verse six it says to add to your knowledge SELF-CONTROL something that we must do in our walk as Christians (believers of Jesus Christ) is exercise our SELF-CONTROL daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, throughout our lifetime.

However we are getting ahead of ourselves because all to often we fail to exercise our SELF-CONTROL at some point and loose our tempers. The bible has a sure fire way for us to get control of ourselves and to understand what we as believers must do.

The answer lies at 2 PETER 1:3-11

³. as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

⁴. by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Fruitful Growth in the Faith <--- (most bibles have this heading before verse five)

^5. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

^6. to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷. to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

^10. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹. for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Over the next month or so we are going to focus on what we must do to have a fruitful knowledge of Jesus Christ and help make us effective believers in Jesus Christ. So tell your family, friends, and associates to tune in as we delve into what we need to do to be the best believers we can be.

Next post FAITH how do you get it, where does it come from, why you need it, etc...
May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
Subscribe in a reader
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

The Truth Shall Set You Free...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Life is said to be an accumulation of our own experiences and the experiences of others that can directly/indirectly influence us. Whether those experiences be positive (enjoyable) or negative (endurable/sufferable) they are part of the whole of our being and existence. John Donne (1573-1631) a Jacobean poet and preacher influenced Hemingway... For Whom the Bell Tolls;

No man is an island, entire of itself

every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main

if a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is less, as well as if a promontory were,

as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were

any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind

and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls

it tolls for thee.

(Taken from; Meditation #17, "Devotions upon Emergent Occasions")

King David had a plan to construct a temple to house the venerated Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments, which God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai. But God thwarted his plans on the basis that the King had caused to much bloodshed and was an iterate sinner. So King David who was said to be a man after God's heart was judged unworthy by God to build the temple that would house the Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments. So the task fell to his son Solomon whom is said to have had more wisdom than any other man ever in the history of all mankind, even unto today.

But, despite Solomon's great wisdom even he succumbed to a great fall and showed that he too, was after all only human, just like his Dad. The bible says we are all sinners that fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And that we are justified by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Justified to what end?

Lies? A lie told in ignorance is still a lie...

Murder? Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind...

Deception? The greatest lie every told was convincing the world that the Devil/Satan doesn't exist...

Surely in this time more so than any other time in the history of mankind we have become smarter due to the availability of information at the fingertips of each any every single person world wide. No longer shall we be conformed or relegated to being just what our cultural and societal conditioning says we are to be. We can break free with the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help us God. Also we can own our own thoughts, actions and deeds instead of blaming the Devil for what we do. Let us be accountable for our actions, words and thoughts if not to each other, than surely to God.

The Truth Shall Set You Free....

Acquiring the Armour of God...

noreply@blogger.com (M.A.C.) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:21:00 +0000

We all live in the same world. However within this world there are many degrees of separation. Such as; geography, language, cultural differences, belief, religion, socio-economic position, politics, interests, etc. just to name a few.

These things become hurdles in our effort to unite the body of Christ here on earth. But what about the hurdles we cant see? Should we as believers be worried about these things? Remember the bibles states; We do not wrestle against (flesh and blood) but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

NOT AGAINST EACH OTHER DO WE WRESTLE...

We are to put on the whole armour of God so we can withstand these beings that are older, smarter and more powerful than us finite human beings. And God assures us that we can stand firm if we only put on this armour to protect us.

Where do you get this armour?

Can you get it from your Pastor/Priest/Spiritual Leader?

How about by going to church every Sunday?

Can you buy this armour through a television ad or a ministry?

Can you make it yourself?

Or is the only way to get it is by studying and understanding the word of God through daily reading, meditating and prayer?

You be the judge share your armour story here if you like....

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